Big deals on the business side
A leading supplier for Disney and Universal has a new owner. Plus, more reviews from Abu Dhabi, and what's up this week with coaster debuts?
What's the longest airline trip you've taken? I think I just broke my record last week in returning from Abu Dhabi. From leaving my hotel to arriving back home in California took 30 hours on the clock - a flight from Abu Dhabi to JFK, followed by a six-hour layover (!) in New York and then a flight to LAX, before that lovely (sarcasm alert) drive across LA to reach home.
I love theme parks, but I did not love the length of that trip.
To me, connections are the devil. One of the reasons I have chosen to live in the Los Angeles area is to have access to an airport that allows me to avoid connecting when reaching most major destinations around the world. Unfortunately, Etihad's direct flight from AUH to LAX has not returned after the pandemic. But if I were planning another trip to the UAE, I would pick a direct flight on Emirates to Dubai and a ground connection to Abu Dhabu (that's about a 90 minute drive, and the airlines offer bus rides between the cities) over another air connection.
The good news is that Abu Dhabi is a pre-clearance airport for travel to United States, so I cleared customs there rather than having to go through that at JFK. US travelers can find other pre-clearance airports in Ireland, Canada, and the Caribbean - something maybe to consider when planning multi-stop international trips.
We have some follow-up coverage from Abu Dhabi this week, but let's start with the big business news.
Dynamic Attractions gets a buyer, avoids liquidation: The company behind Disney's Soarin' and Universal's Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey has been sold out of bankruptcy to a Hong Kong-based financial services firm.
More from Yas Island
Hypersphere 360 offers a unique new theme park experience: The most unique new attraction at SeaWorld Abu Dhabi is Hypersphere 360, a gravitron-like ride that achieves the all-encompassing immersion of virtual reality... without forcing you to wear those isolating headsets. Here's a review, based on my preview ride during the park's press event last week.
Thinking about a visit to Yas Island now?
And ICYMI: Visitor's guide to the SeaWorld Abu Dhabi
This week's new coasters
Watch the first look, on ride POV for Arctic Rescue: Got enough new roller coaster videos to watch lately? Of course not! SeaWorld San Diego has just released a first look, on-ride, front row POV video for its new roller coaster, Arctic Rescue. I will be at the park Thursday for the ride's media day and will post a full review then. In the meantime, we're talking about the ride in the comments.
More theme park news
Fresh looks and news from Disneyland's new Pixar-themed hotel: The first Pixar-themed hotel in the United States will be complete by this winter, the Disneyland Resort has announced. Let's look at some new concept art for the hotel and its grounds.
Celebrating 10 tasty years at Busch Gardens: Russell Meyer hits up the 10th annual Food & Wine Festival at Busch Gardens Williamsburg and shares his favorites.
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Thank you for reading!
Robert Niles, Editor